Council Constitution

The Constitution has the important purpose of providing a guide for local people, businesses and other organisations to understand how the council's decision-making works. It is also a handbook for the councillors and staff who are directly involved in the business of the council. The Constitution has been formally approved by the council and will be kept under review and updated from time to time.

The governance model plan (pdf format, 526Kb) shows how governance at Oxfordshire County Council works  subject to the provisions of the Constitution

Constitution contents

• Contents (1 April 2025) (pdf format, 99 KB)

Part 1 - Introduction

1.1  The Constitution (1 October 2024)
1.2  How OCC Operates (1 April 2025)
1.3  Decision Making (10 April 2025)

Part 2 - Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (October 2022)

Part 3 - Council

3.1 Council Procedure Rules (1 April 2025)
3.2 Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules (30 April 2024)
3.3 Virement Rules (1 April 2025)
3.4 “Local Choice” Functions (9 December 2014)
3.5 Agency, Partnership and Joint Agreements (21 May 2024)

Part 4 - Cabinet

4.1 Membership of Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet (21 May 2024)
4.2 Cabinet Procedure Rules (1 April 2025)
4.3 Cabinet Committees (1 April 2025)
4.4 Delegated Decisions by Individual Cabinet Members (1 April 2025)
4.5 Cabinet Advisory Groups (10 April 2024)

Part 5 - Committees and sub-committees

5.1A  Membership of Committees and Sub-Committees (1 April 2025)
5.1B Health and Wellbeing board (1 April 2025)
5.1C Remuneration Committee (21 May 2024)
5.1D  Membership of Other Committees

Part 6 - Overview and scrutiny committees

6.1A  Overview and Scrutiny Committees (1 April 2025)
6.1B  Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (1 April 2025)
6.1C Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire Berkshire West Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 April 2025)
6.2 Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules (1 April 2025)
6.3 Protocol on Scrutiny Participation (22 April 2024)

Part 7 - Scheme of delegation to officers

7.1 Officers (16 April 2024)
7.2 Scheme of Delegation to Officers (1 April 2025)

Part 8 - Other procedure rules

8.1 Access to Information Procedure Rules (18 November 2024)
8.2 Financial Procedure Rules (10 December 2024)
8.3 Contract Procedure Rules (1 April 2025)
8.4 Officer Employment Procedure Rules (18 November 2024)
8.5 Members Champion Role Guidance Notes (23 May 2024) 

• Annex 1 – Procedure to be Complied with in Respect of Dismissal of Senior Officers
• Annex 2 (23 May 2024) – Protocol for Employees Working Part-time and/or Temporarily for, or providing Consultancy to, other Bodies or Councils
• Annex 3 (18 November 2024) – Senior Posts and Proposed Appointor

Part 9 - Codes and protocols

9.1 Members’ Code of Conduct (including appendices) (5 April 2022)

• Appendix A (5 April 2022) – The Seven Principles of Public Life
• Appendix B (5 April 2022) – Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
• Appendix C (5 April 2022) – Disclosure of Other Registrable Interests

9.2 Protocol on Members Rights and Responsibilities (1 April 2025)
9.3 Councillor Call for Action (CCfA) – Guidance for Members
9.4 Policy on IT Use by Members of County Council
9.5 Members’ Planning Code of Practic (24 May 2024)
9.6 Protocol on Member/Officer Relations (1 April 2025)
9.7 Officers’ Code of Conduct (24 May 2024)
9.8 Protocol on Consultation with Employees (9 December 2014)

Part 10 - Members’ allowances

10.1 Members’ Allowances (1 April 2025)